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This monument on the property of the I'idalon Mills 

marks the spot from which the first balloon asfetidfd on 

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Dedicated to the memory of 
Pierre de Montcolukr 



D[C19'.;2 

Copyright. 1^122 
0'i Afi '■•'■^ -3 CANS09< & MONTgOLFIER 

New York 



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This story is published with the inten- 
tion OF PORTRAYING TO THOSE INTERESTED 
IN THE USE OF PAPER A BRIEF HISTORICAL 
AND ROMANTIC SKETCH OF THE OlD MANU- 
FACTURE ROYALE OF ViDALON, ArDECHE, 

France. 

For centuries Vidalon Mills have been 
operated under the direction of the de 
Montgolfier family, generation suc- 
ceeding generation. 





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IJ^^ THE I 6th C^NTURT 

iiHE Vidalon Paper Mills were already well known in 
the sixteenth century. At that time they were in the 
ids of the wealthy family De Boulieu, of Annonay. In 
the Vidalon Paper Mills were sold by Louis De Boulieu, 
;neur de Charlieu, to Barthelemy Crottier, Squire Des Marets , 
who was, at that time. Official Counsel to the Parliament. 
Barthelemy Crottier married Mademoiselle Olympe De Calbert Des 
Fonds. At his death his widow became sole heir and she placed the mills 
under the management of Antoine Chelles, who was then sales representa- 
tive of the Vidalon Mills. On March 12, 1689, Antoine Chelles bought 
from the widow of Barthelemy Crottier and for his own account the mills 
which he and his family had managed for many years for the preceding 
owners. 

Antoine Chelles had two daughters, who, on January 14, 1693, married 
the brothers Raymond and Michel Montgolfier, sons of Jean Montgolfier, 
one of a family originating from Ambert, Puy-de-Dome, the very cradle 
of the French paper industry. Eventually Raymond Montgolfier became 
the owner of the Vidalon Mills. There he lived, made many important 
improvements in the mills, and died leaving a family of nineteen children. 
Upon his death the property was inherited by his son, Pierre. 

Pierre Montgolfier 

Pierre Montgolfier, born at Tence, (Haute-Loire), February 22, 1700, 
died at Vidalon, June 2, 1793, the father of sixteen children. He is the 
ancestor of nearly all the branches of the Montgolfier family in existence 
today. Pierre Montgolfier was a man of superior intelligence and high 
moral character. With the able assistance of his sons the mills soon made 
rapid progress. It was this Pierre Montgolfier who built the first machine 
for grinding rags. He began to study the mechanism of this machine 
in Switzerland in 1750, which was almost a quarter of a century before 
Desmarets, then Chief Inspector and Director of the French Manu- 
factures, came to Vidalon to make the first installation of the then new 
Dutch cylinders with the cooperation of Etienne Montgolfier, son of 
Pierre, and with the subsidies of the Vivarais States. 

Pierre Montgolfier has left some remarkable memoirs. Notably 
among these is a report on the condition of the Annonay Mills in 1769; he 
wrote a treatise on the defects of paper with special regard to sizing and 
to the paper pulp, the customs duties, and the regulations regarding the 
mills and their workmen. 



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^25^ VIDALON (55^ 



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General offices and residence of managing directors 




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Selecting and cutting rags at Vidalon-Le-Haut 
6 



ma^ viDALON <^;^ 



"Letters Patent" given to Pierre Montgolfier by the King, Louis XVI, 
show, "That having received from his parents a paper mill located at 
Annonay, in the Vivarais, he has rendered it by his cares one of the 
largest in the Kingdom. . . . and that he made in his factory the first 
tests on wove papers." It is said, moreover, that in ennobling the 
father — Pierre Montgolfier — the King, by this act, intended to reward 
at the same time Pierre Montgolfier's two sons, Joseph and 
Etienne for the success attained at Vidalon, December 14, 1782, in an 
experiment of their invention, the hot air balloon, known now as the 
"Montgolfiere." Demonstrations of this balloon, the forerunner of all 
aerostatic machines, were later given, first at Annonay, June 5, 1783, 
before the notables of the Vivarais States, and again the 19th of the fol- 
lowing September, at Versailles, in the presence of the King, Queen and 
Court. 

"Manufacture Royale" 

At last, on March 19, 1784, the Vidalon Mills received the title of 
"Manufacture Royale," and also the prize founded by the Ordinance of 
December 28, 1777, awarded to "those who have opened new roads for 
the national industry or who have contributed to its improvement." 

Pierre de Montgolfier finished his long and fruitful career at 
the age of 93 years. While still living he gave the Vidalon Mills to his 
son, Etienne, as the one of his children whom he considered the most 
capable to succeed him. 

Etienne and Joseph Montgolfier, Inventors 

As mentioned before, Etienne and his brother Joseph are recorded in 
history as the inventors of the aerostat. In addition, Joseph, whose 
inventive spirit was constantly active, is famed for numerous other 
inventions, principally the Hydraulic Pulsator, the Hydraulic Press, the 
Stereotype as a means of perpetuating printing plates, the Bleu d'Out- 
remer, also known later under the name of Bleu Guimet, and the lamp 
with the cylindric glass, called "Quinquet" after the name of the man 
who commercialized the invention. The science and talents of Joseph 
soon caused him to be chosen Administrator of the Conservatoire des Arts 
and Metiers, then member of the Consulting Bureau des Arts et Manu- 
factures, and later a member of the Institut de France. He was made 
Chevalier de la Legion d'Honneur by Napoleon I. 

Etienne de Montgolfier, of more practical spirit than Joseph, 
had cooperated with the latter in several of his inventions but he devoted 
most of his time and energy to the Vidalon Mills. He made many great 
improvements, the principal ones being enumerated in his memoirs. 



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Hand paper making at Vidalon-Le-Haul 




Drying hand made paper 



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In these memoirs there may be found interesting details on the manufac- 
ture and sizing of papers and also a plan and description of a machine 
he invented to maintain a constant and evenly stirred supply of pulp 
in the vats. 

Barthelemy de Canson 

Upon the death of Etienne Montgolfier, the son-in-law, Bar- 
thelemy, Baron de Canson, who was his business associate since the 
5th Vendemiaire an V, became the proprietor of the Vidalon Mills. 
It was this de Canson who made possible the great strides of the paper 
industry by discovering a process of sizing by means of rosin and by 
producing colored papers. Later he installed one of the first machines 
to continuously manufacture paper. He was made Pair de France in 
1830 and a Chevalier de la Legion D'Honneur in 1831. 

Etienne de Canson, who succeeded his father, Barthelemy, invented 
the suction pump which controls the thickness of the paper and permits 
the speed of the paper machines to be greatly increased. He invented 
an injector for the boilers of steam engines and he also invented the 
turbine engine which bore his name. 

Etienne was a man of incredible activity and was interested in every- 
thing that affected his community. He was the one who, with the 
assistance of his friend, Etienne Frachon, the mayor of Annonay, pro- 
moted the erection of the Dam du Ternay, a large reservoir of 1 10,000,000 
cubic feet, which furnishes the water to the town of Annonay. He 
also erected, on land purchased by his father, the Mill of Pupil, where 
colored papers are made to this day. The dimensions of this building 
prove to what point he had visualized the extensive future of the industry 
he was managing. He was made a Chevalier de la Legion d'Honneur in 
1849. 

Marc Seguin 

At the death of Etienne de Canson, in i860, the Vidalon Mills 
became the property of Marc Seguin aine, civil engineer, a corres. 
ponding member of the Institut de France and a Chevalier de la Legion 
d'Honneur. Marc Seguin was the grandson of Pierre de Montgolfier. 
Besides his well known inventions, suspension bridges and 
tubular boilers, he was the builder of the first railroad in France and 
the author of numerous memoirs much appreciated by the many French 
and foreign intellectuals with whom he associated. 

Marc Seguin , with his son-in-law and young grandsons-in-law , organized 
a society under the name of the Manufactures de Vidalon. The general 
management of this society he gave to his son-in-law, Laurent de Montgol- 
fier, 1817-1884, who, for 23 years proved himself worthy of his ancestors. 



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Power house and shop of Pupil 

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Laurent de Montgolfier 

Under a most affable exterior, Laurent de Montgolfier, who 
still lives in memory, possessed a great intelligence and a rare energy. 
He knew that by increasing the number of his steam engines and other 
means of production he would give an extraordinary uplift to the Mills 
of Vidalon. He soon doubled both the production and the extraordinary 
appreciation with which the products of the Vidalon Mills are received. 
He was made Chevalier de la Legion d'Honneur in 1869 and Chevalier de 
I'order Imperial et Royal de Francois Joseph, in 1873. 

Incorporated 1880 
In 1880 the members of the Societe Canson & Montgolfier decided to 
take the form of a corporation and since then the Manufacture de Vidalon 
have been under the control of a Board of Administration. This change 
of control did not modify the original policy of the organization. 
The centuries old traditions of this firm are always in the foreground 
to guide the progress of the Vidalon Mills, both in regard to the products 
made and to the creation of institutions for the betterment ot the condi- 
tions of the workmen. 



vit>zALo:j^ ^mills 

Location 

Les Anciennes Manufactures Canson &: Montgolfier include three 
factories: Pupil, Vidalon-le-Kaut, and Vidalon-le-Bas, all located in the 
townships of Annonay and Davezieux. The three factories are situated, 
one adjoining the other, for the distance of over a mile on the banks of 
the River la Deume, which is the property of the Society. The buildings 
cover a surface of 10 acres and are surrounded by an industrial estate of 75 
acres of land. 

Production Material 

The Vidalon Mills are equipped for the manufacture of pure rag 
papers. Each of the factories is a unit in itself, including large shops for 
the reception, selection and cutting of rags, the working of pulp and 
the making of paper. The manufacturing is effected by 5 machines; 3 
flat machines, 2 cylindrical and 1 vats. The paper thus made is trans- 
ported to a vast room where the miscellaneous operations of sizing, 
calendering, cutting, selection, packing, etc., are carried out. In addi- 
tional rooms are shops for ruling, making envelopes and boxes for writing 

II 



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Rag stock room of Pupil 
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( ^g.. ^sy^ VI DAI, ON (SS; ^ ^^ ^&:s> 



papers and the manufacture of drawing books and pads, which last are, 
perhaps, the most keenly appreciated specialty of the house. 

All this represents a very powerful organization with the most modern 
facilities. 

Water power is secured from three large dams, the smallest one being 
over 24 feet high and the largest about 23 feet. These are used as 
the source of power for a great inany machines. In addition steam and 
electricity are used. The hydraulic motors, eleven in number, repre- 
sent 420 H.P. Nine steam engines make a force of 280 H.P., the 
steam for these being generated in ten boilers. The electrical current 
is received by transformers and is used by 40 motors, representing 71^0 
H.P. The total power equipment of these mills is about 1450 H.P. 

The Water Supply 

The source of the water supply which is actually used in the manu- 
facture of paper is of unusual purity. The chemical analysis shows that 
it is particularly adapted for the manufacture of the high grade papers 
made at the Vidalon Mills. Frequent laboratory tests have indicated 
that the character of the water is an important factor in maintaining 
the quality of Vidalon Papers as it blends with the special sizing formula 
used in the papers manufactured in these mills. 

It is an interesting fact that this water never varies in its unusual 
purity, coming as it does from nature's bosom in the valley of the Deume. 

Manufactured Products 

Because of the ample power available and the pure water supply, the 
production of the Vidalon Mills is very large, especially when the many 
different kinds of paper produced are taken into consideration. The 
papers best known are the drawing papers, which, under their century 
old trade mark, "Canson" are used the world over. Whatever may be 
desired — papers for artistic or industrial drawings, for pen, crayon, 
charcoal, pastel and water color — all can be had from the stocks of the 
Anciennes Manufactures Canson & Montgolfier. Of more than ordinary 
interest, also, are the miscellaneous drawing articles such as loose leaf 
sketch books, blocs, mounted boards, and drawing books of different 
sizes, etc., all of which greatly facilitate the work of the artist. 

Besides the drawing papers, the other important products of Vidalon 
are: Ledger papers, writing and typewriting papers, blotting papers, 
certificate papers, hand made papers for announcements and editions 
de luxe, filtering mass and filtering papers, linen mounted papers, gummed 
papers for packing, etc. 

13 



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Battery of heaters at Pupil 



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A paper machine at the Pupil mill 
14 



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^ Official "papier Timbre" of the French State Department 

At Vidalon-le-haut is also manufactured the "papier Timbre" (docu- 
ment paper) for the French State Department. The quality of this 
paper is known to all who use it. 

Throughout the World — Vidalon 

For the distribution of these many products a strong commercial 
organization is needed. This organization has its general offices at 
Vidalon, with a general manager at the head. For many years a sell- 
ing branch, carrying a large stock, has been located in Paris, 39 rue de 
Palestro. Its manager represents the company in all public administra- 
tions of business there. 

Two other branches, one at 461 Eighth Avenue, New York City, 
and 46 route de Frontenex, Geneve, Suisse, are well established. Be- 
sides, the firm has representatives in Belgium, Spain, Greece, Holland, 
Italy, Norway, Portugal, Turkey, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Indo- 
China, Brazil, Chili, Cuba, Peru, Argentina, Uruguay, Syria, Pales- 
tine, etc. 

It is almost needless to say that the list of awards obtained by the 
Manufactures of Vidalon is a particularly long one. Here are the most 
important: 

Title of Manufacture Royale, April 15, 1784. 

Grand Prix, founded by the Ordinance of December a8, 1777. 

Legion d'Honneur, 1831, 1849, 1868. 

Medailles d'or en L'an IX, 1806, 1819, 1834, 1839, 1844, 1849. 

Hors Concours, 1855. 

Prize Medal, London, 1862. 

Diplome d'Honneur, Paris 187;. 

Grands Diplomes d'Honneur, Vienna, 1873 'I'^d Amsterdam, 1883. 

Prize Medal, Philadelphia, 1876. 

Medaille d'Or, Exposition Collective, Paris 1878. 

Grand Prix, Classe X, et Medaille d'Or, Ciasse XIV 

Institutions Patronales, Paris, 1889. 
Diplome d'Honneur, Exposition Universelle de Photographic, 

Paris, 1892. 
Hors Concours, Chicago (U. S.), 1893. 
Grand Prix, Classe IX, and Medaille d'or Classe VI, Exposition 

Universelle, Lyon, 1894. 
Grand Prix, Exposition Universelle, Paris, 1900, 10 recompenses 

de collaboration. 
Grand Prix, Exposition Franco-Morrocaine de Casabalanca, 191 5. 

15 



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Personnel 

The Societe Anonyme des Anciennes Manufactures Canson & Mont- 
golfier, which owns the Vidalon Mills, obtained, in 1921, for its per- 
sonnel, 73 medailles d'honneur, of which 10 are medailles de Vermeil 
and 63 medailles d'Argent. 

The medaille d'honneur du travail is given by the Ministere du Com- 
merce et d'Industrie in reward for continuity of service in the same estab- 
lishment; d'Argent for 30 years and de Vermeil for 50 years. 

When it is considered that these factories have a total of less than 
400 workmen, the proportion of the medals appears so large that one has 
a strong desire to know more of an industrial establishment whose pros- 
perity is so closely allied to the faithfulness of its workmen. 

Workers Institutions and Community Welfare 

Since the very beginning, the owners of Vidalon Mills have under- 
stood that besides the great question of commercial and industrial policy 
there is a great social question. This last has always been uppermost 
in their minds. The results obtained from the careful study of this 
problem are worthy of attention. 

Apartments 

The working population of Vidalon, which amounts to more than 
800 inhabitants, live in buildings belonging to the Society. These are 
situated close to the factories. Each family, in proportion to its size, 
may rent, at very small cost, 2, 3, or 4 rooms, with cellar and attic. 
A number of small, two family workingmen's houses are now completed. 
These are built after a special plan to secure the maximum light, air 
and cleanliness, and they are the first of a model group which the Society 
proposes to build as soon as circumstances permit. These new houses 
will replace the old style apartments which are not as convenient as they 
might be. 

Gardens 

Each family is alloted a portion of ground near the factories, 3,000 
to 4,000 sq. ft., in which to cultivate vegetables. To aid in securing 
good crops the Society distributes seeds and fertilizers without cost to 
the workmen. Under present conditions, which allow the men much 
more leisure than formerly, these gardens offer a good way to enjoy the 
hours of recreation. 

Religious Service 
Those of the personnel who belong to the Catholic Church attend a 
large and elegant chapel which is built in the center of the factory 

17 



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Inspection and selection of sheets 



grounds. This chapel is served by a priest chosen by the diocese authori- 
ties. The few members of the personnel who are Protestants attend 
churches at Annonay. 

Schools 

To offer every convenience to the parents in sending their children 
to school, there is, at Vidalon itself: 

1st. A Private Kindergarten for children of either sex below 
seven years of age. At present it has an attendance of 30 children. 

2nd. A private school for girls, with two classes, which prepares 
for high school. There are fifty little girls attending this school at 
present. 

Both kindergarten and the school for girls are conducted by Sisters 
and private teachers. 

Boys of school age go to the Annonay or the Davezieux schools. 

18 



(^ b^ ^^ ^ VI DA J. ON (^i ^ -..a s 



Family Allotments 

The head of each family working at Vidalon receives, for each of his 
children, whatever their number, an allotment corresponding to 5% of 
his salary. This applies to all children less than 13 years of age and 
to all unmarried children of any age who live at home with the family 
and work in the factory. The peculiar conditions which surround the 
paper industry and which enable it to employ the old men, women and 
children, have fostered the adoption of this system to insure an unchang- 
ing personnel of large and stable families. 

It may be interesting to note that family allotments have existed in 
the Anciennes Manufactures Canson & Montgolfier since October i, 
1916, which is a short while before the movement, which originated from 
Grenoble (Isere) under the happy and energetic umpulse of Mr. Romanet, 
attained the results that are known to all interested in the social question 
of the workman. 

At the birth of each child the father of the family receives: 
50 francs for the first. 
75 francs for the second. 
IOC francs for the third and following. 

Care of Sick 

Nursing Sisters are always on duty at Vidalon. These Sisters render 
first aid before the arrival of the doctor and see to it at all times that 
the patients receive the constant care and treatment necessary. A well 
stocked pharmacy supplies free drugs and medicines to those who need 
them. 

Help Fund 

A help fund, originating from miscellaneous gifts and legacies has 
been established to aid the more needy families with gifts of clothing 
and other necessities. 

Cooperative Society 

A cooperative society among workers was instituted about two years 
ago. The majority of workmen are stockholders. This cooperative 
society supplies its members with eatables and clothing. 

Canteen 

A canteen is installed in the center of the factories. Meals are pre- 
pared in a common kitchen and served at extremely moderate price in 
two well lighted dining rooms. One dining room is reserved for women 
and the other for men. 

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Fire Company 
Because of the isolated location of the factories there has been a fire 
company at Vidalon for more than 60 years. It is composed of an officer 
and 40 petty officers and men, all ex-soldiers or men of the building 
trades — masons, carpenters, etc. Three pumps located in different 
parts of the factories furnish the necessary water supply. The Vidalon 
fire company has rendered signal services in the past, as much in neigh- 
boring towns as in the factory itself. 





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The chapel of Vidalon 



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Ouvrlerlalsent da papier a la cuve & Vidalon au XVI° slide 

Sketch made at the Vidalon Mills in the Sixteenth Century 
shows the early methods of paper manufacture 



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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



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